In the early years of the last century the building or "hall" was built by The Modern Woodsmen of America Insurance Company, a fraternal organization insurance company dedicated to community involvement and support. Their creed: "There is a destiny that makes us brothers, none goes his way alone, all that we send into the lives of others comes back into our own."

In 1937 they deeded the property to the community, and the Olalla Community Club incorporated as a 501(c) 4 organization. The OCC mission and purpose as stated in the original and 1972 amended Articles of Incorporation is:

For over 45 years the Clubhouse served as the heart of the community with countless dances, meetings, socials and more. Many "old timer" couples fondly recall meeting at Community Club functions. In the 1980's the building fell into disuse and major disrepair.

In 1991, buoyed by renewed community spirit, including the fight to save Banner Forest, a small but enthusiastic group undertook the formidable task of renovating the historic building. Shoveling ankle deep pigeon guano from the upper level was just the beginning. Plumbing, painting, foundation work, bathroom and kitchen remodeling­ even digging a well rescued the Olalla Community Club Clubhouse. Their work brought the Clubhouse to usable and comfortable standards.

In the years since, the Clubhouse has served as the scene of:

• Weddings • Swap Meets • Scout Meetings • Political Forums
• Ice Cream Socials • Dances • Potluck Dinners
• Community Events • Community Gatherings • Community Support
• Anything and everything that brings friends, neighbors, families together.

To find us, see the Olalla Bluegrass Festival Map. (The clubhouse is about a mile south of the Bluegrass Festival site, on the Olalla Valley Road.)
 

 Area History
(This text is under construction -needs work, help to get facts straight, etc.)

Olalla means "place of many berries" from the native Chinook word "olallie." (More on original occupants and settlement by newcomers. Charlotte has some on this, getting back to me.) There was an actual town of Olalla when the 1800's turned into the 1900's. The town as an entity "dissolved," with the Mosquito Fleet, when the first Tacoma Narrows Bridge opened July 1, 1940. When "Galloping Gertie" fell into Puget Sound four months later, the Mosquito Fleet was briefly resurrected while the current Narrows Bridge was under construction. But this area, as well as many others, never resumed its previous focus as a landing site.

Long time residents have many stories of chicken farms, berry farms, strawberries, blackberries, fishing ... Olalla valley strawberry farms were an important source of strawberries for the Seattle markets, shipped over via the Mosquito Fleet.

For more detailed information on the early history of Olalla contact the Kitsap Historical Society in Bremerton.

A good source for area history is the History Booth at the annual Olalla Bluegrass Festival in August. See the Old-Time Crafts Demonstration booth or come to the Old Timers' Picnic the last Sunday of July. It's at the Triangle Park at the intersection of Burley-Olalla Road and Olalla Valley Road.

Living Histories Project

The Living Histories Project is dedicated to preserving our Olalla area history. As well as recording oral histories and copying and preserving photographs and other items of area history, the Living Histories Project hopes to expand our knowledge of times past and the details that make that history live for us.

Have some information? Know someone who does? Have old photographs or ephemera that has lost its identity? Questions? Curiosities? Want to volunteer and join in? (We sure would like that!)

Contact OCClub secretary, .